Wednesday, September 21 2005 14:35 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Concerned over the mounting delay in payment of salaries to Primary and High School teachers, the Karnataka Government today (Sept 21, 2005) set out a schedule for release of funds ordered for disbursal of salaries before fifth day of every month.

The Panchayat Raj department under which the services of teachers are controlled has brought about a coordination among the departments of Finance, Education and Treasury to ensure timely release of funds, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Basavaraj Horatti told reporters after a meeting with these department heads.

He expressed dismay over the non-disbursal of salaries to teachers for the month of August even after September 21 and warned that from November, if salaries were not paid by fifth day of every month, stern action under Karnataka Cadre and Services Rules (KCSR) would be initiated against officials.

As per the schedule for release of funds decided at the meeting, the Finance Department would affect quarterly release by 15-20 of every month to ensure that it reaches the account of Taluk Panchayats between 22nd to 25th.

Treasuries should transfer salary amount between 26th and 30th of every month to Banks, which would pay salaries by Fifth day of that month, he said.

Horatti said the government has decided to amend rules to release funds directly to Taluk Panchayats for payment of salaries instead of the existing practice of release to Zilla Panchayats.

The government has banned diversion of funds meant for salaries to other works by Panchayats.

Horatti said a government notification directing Taluk Panchayats and Treasuries to ensure payment of salary to teachers by first week of every month would be issued shortly.

He said there was a staggering wage arrears of Rs 333 crore towards payment of salaries, Medical allowance and Leave Encashment to teachers in the education department since three years.

Salary arrears account for Rs 182 crore, Rs 68 crore towards Leave Encashment, Rs 69 crore for payment of additional increment to those teachers who have passed Kannada exam and Rs 14 crore for clearing Medical Claims.

He said the Finance Department has expressed inability to release Rs 333 in one go and agreed to release in installments.

The state has been claiming that it has done well on revenue mobilization.